Who and What is SAPREF?

SAPREF is the largest crude oil refinery in Southern Africa with the 35% of South Africa's refinery capacity. SAPREF is a joint venture between Shell Refining SA and BP Southern Africa and it is located in the city of Durban on the east coast of South Africa.

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What does SAPREF do to minimise its impact on the environment?

SAPREF is committed to being a good neighbour to surrounding communities. In honouring this commitment, we have invested more than R975 million in consistently improving our environmental performance.

 

This has been done through various initiatives such as:

• Investing in the best available technology for sulphur dioxide abatement and switching to low sulphur crude oil. This contributed towards reducing sulphur dioxide emissions by over 70% since the mi-1990's.

• Installing double seals on floating roof tanks to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds.

• The replacement of our seven product transfer lines from the refinery to Island View.

• A rigorous, ongoing programme to proactively manage piping integrity within the refinery.

• The installation of double seals, to replace single seals on over 100 pumps.

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SAPREF was also the largest industry contributor towards the overall cost of the Multi-Point Plan network of monitoring stations installed by the eThekwini municipality to measure air quality in the community. Data collected in these monitoring stations has shown that SAPREF consistently meets the city's ambient air quality requirements for sulphur dioxide.

 

How does SAPREF contribute to communities?

SAPREF has identified nine communities in its immediate area and is committed to making a difference in those communities by supporting sustainable projects. These communities are Athlone Park, Isipingo, Umlazi, Lamontville, Merebank, Austerville, Wentworth, Bluff and Fynnland.

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Initiatives that are supported are educational (specifically relating to maths and science education), poverty alleviation and capacity building.

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I would like SAPREF to support my organization/community project. How do I apply for funding?

A funding window period is advertised annually between February and March during which time the community based organisation(CBOs) and schools that fall within the above communities or focus areas can apply for funding. The funding advert is placed in local media, our Facebook page (SAPREFRefinery) and on the SAPREF website.

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I would like to supply crude oil to SAPREF. How do I do this?

SAPREF's crude oil is sourced through its shareholders, BP Southern Africa and Shell Refining SA. We are therefore not able to obtain crude from any other source.

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I would like to buy refined product from SAPREF, How do I do this?

SAPREF is not involved in the sale or distribution of the products we manufacture. This is managed by our shareholders, BP Southern Africa and Shell Refining SA.

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I would like to apply for a job/bursary/learnership at SAPREF. How do I do this?

Applications for jobs, bursaries and learnerships should only be submitted in response to specific advertisements. Advertisements are placed in local media and on the SAPREF website.

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I would to apply for in-service training at SAPREF. How do I do this?

SAPREF only offers in-service training in our laboratory. If you have an S4 in analytical chemistry, then you could apply through "careers" on our website.

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How does SAPREF engage with communities?

SAPREF communicates with communities in a variety of ways through our social investment initiatives, face to face on an individual basis, through our annual sustainability Report, flyers in letter boxes and through the SAPREF community Liaison Forum.

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How do I request for information from SAPREF?

To request information from SAPREF please read this manual and fill in the accompanying forms.